HEALTH BENEFITS
OF POMEGRANATE
THE FRUIT
Pomegranates
grow wild from Iran to northern India, but they are cultivated throughout
India, the Middle East, southern Europe and California. Scientists in Israel
have been conducting research on the health benefits of pomegranates and
pomegranate juice for years, and now others have joined in.
Pomegranate
is an emblem of fertility, rebirth, and health.
It is packed with lots of antioxidants that may help in maintaining a
smooth and wrinkle free skin and
the possibility of helping people to maintain youthful and glowing skin by
keeping the blood platelets together.
THE JUICE
Pomegranate
juice has become popular in the past few years.
1. Prevention From cancer
·
Fights
Breast Cancer
Studies
in Israel show that pomegranate juice destroys breast cancer cells while
leaving healthy cells alone. It may also prevent breast cancer cells from
forming.
·
Lung
Cancer Prevention
Studies
in mice show that pomegranate juice may inhibit the development of lung cancer.
·
Slows
Prostate Cancer
Pomegranate
compounds might prevent prostate cancer or slow its growth. In mice, treatment
with pomegranate extract delayed the development of tumors and improved
survival (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Sept. 26, 2005).
·
Keeps
PSA Levels Stable
In
a study of 50 men who had undergone treatment for prostate cancer, 8 ounces of
pomegranate juice per day kept PSA levels stable, reducing the need for further
treatment such as chemotherapy or hormone therapy.
2. Protects the Neonatal Brain
Studies
show that maternal consumption of pomegranate juice may protect the neonatal
brain from damage after injury.
3. Prevention of Osteoarthritis
Several
studies indicate that pomegranate juice may prevent cartilage deterioration. Scientists at Case Western Reserve University
have reported that tissue cultures of human cartilage cells respond to
pomegranate extract. Inflammation is
reduced and the enzymes that break down cartilage become less active (Journal
of Nutrition, Sept. 2005).
4. Protects the Arteries
It
prevents plaque from building up in the arteries and may reverse
previous plaque
previous plaque
buildup.
5. Alzheimer's Disease Prevention
It
may prevent and slow Alzheimer's disease. In one study, mice bred to develop
Alzheimer's disease were given pomegranate juice. They accumulated
significantly less amyloid plaque than control mice and they performed mental
tasks better.
6. Lowers Cholesterol
It
lowers low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (bad cholesterol) and raises HDL (good
cholesterol). They are rich in
antioxidants that can keep bad LDL cholesterol from oxidizing (American Journal
of Clinical Nutrition, May 2000).
7. Lowers Blood Pressure
One
study showed that drinking 1.7 ounces of pomegranate juice per day lowered
systolic blood pressure by as much as 5 percent.
8. Dental Protection
Research
suggests that drinking pomegranate juice may be a natural way to prevent dental
plaque.
9. Prevent Blood Clot
Pomegranate
juice, like aspirin, can help keep blood platelets from clumping together to
form unwanted clots.
10. Increase Amount Of Oxygen
Improved
the amount of oxygen getting to the heart muscle of patients with coronary
heart disease (American Journal of the College of Cardiology, Sept. 2005).
11. Combat Erectile Dysfunction
Other
researchers report that long-term consumption of pomegranate juice may help
combat erectile dysfunction (Journal of Urology, July 2005).
12. Calm Diarrhea
One
traditional use of pomegranate juice is to calm diarrhea. You can actually get constipated if you drink
too much.
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